India's Currency Decline Makes Trips to the Sub-Continent More Attractive

The economic problems of India are beginning to open up new possibilities for tourism. As of this week, the exchange rate of the Indian Rupee has crashed through a value of 53 Rupees to the U.S. dollar, the lowest exchange rate of the Rupee in recent history and a decline in its value of 17% in the year to date. Thus, the cost of accommodations, meals and sightseeing in India has declined considerably for American tourists, suggesting that now might be a good time to consider a trip there.
 
That unusual exchange rate has begun attracting attention from various financial newspapers and newspaper columnists specializing in international finance. According to the experts, India's trade deficit is worsening and it is the only one of the emerging BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) to suffer a decline this year in its foreign investment. The consequence of that: a continued probable decline in the value of the Rupee. According to the Times, "The Rupee still looks vulnerable" (even at a startling exchange rate of 53 to the Dollar).
 
So what does this portend for your own possible trip to India? Although the cost of airfares there isn't cheap (you pay about $1,200 round-trip between New York and Delhi or Mumbai, unless you take a difficult, two-stop flight on Gulf Air requiring two overnight stays in the London and Bahrain airports), that outlay is greatly offset by the bargain-level of most costs in India itself (which was a cheap country to visit even before the decline of the Rupee). If you've never before been there, you might consider a winter trip, which is the best time of year for touring that colorful country.